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HR 1280 105th Congress House Law Appellate courts Arts, Culture, Religion Civil procedure Court reporting Crime and Law Enforcement Crime and the press Criminal procedure District courts Government Operations and Politics Judges Photography Radio broadcasting Science, Technology, Communications Sound recording and reproducing Supreme Court Television broadcasting Video tapes in courtroom proceedings

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act

Introduced: April 10, 1997 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 13, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2369-2370)
Apr 15, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.
Apr 10, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 10, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act - Allows any presiding U.S. judge, in his or her discretion, to allow the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which such judge presides, including civil and criminal trials and appeals.

Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate advisory guidelines concerning such media coverage within the courtroom.

What's happening now November 13, 1997

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2369-2370)

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Apr 10, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1280: Sunshine in the Courtroom Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/
MLA
"H.R. 1280: Sunshine in the Courtroom Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1280, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1280: Sunshine in the Courtroom Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1280/)
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